Thursday, July 21, 2011

Had a bad breakfast at the restaurant at Otter Creek - the cornmeal pancakes tasted sour. We rode to a restaurant 30 miles away and had lunch. Phil need a bike shop, so he went to Rockfish Gap Outfitters in Waynesboro while I stayed at the top of the hill. Joined Phil when he found out there was no laundry at top. Had good Ciro's Sicilian pizza and stayed at fire hall (free shower and ice!!) Talked to fireman, Tom Bellamy, and went to sleep.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Up at 6:30; flat ride to Buchanan. Checked our mail, not too much there.

Had a good breakfast at R&G's in Buchanan, recommended by the sweet lady we met at the P.O.

We decided to go up on the Parkway and I'm so glad we did. So far the climbs have been gradual. We hiked to Sharp Top from Peaks of Otter - 3 mile round trip.

Started biking again at 4:15. We had about a 10 mile climb and a 12 mile downhill (11 miles in 26 minutes)! Neat locks at Otter Creek Visitor Center. Good cheese burger at restaurant, now camped at Otter Creek for $7.

Monday, July 18, 2011

A long ride to Dublin much of it (5o miles) on Rt 61 in a valley - beautiful ride from Taswell to Narrows. We had a big discussion in Narrows about whether to continue riding or stay in Narrows. It was 21 more miles to Dublin, so we went for it. I was a lot more tired than Phil, but I'm glad we did it.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

The photo is of me wearing Joanie's cover-up. I took the opportunity to wash all my clothes!

Took the day off from riding. Stayed at Strohm's. Nice relaxing day. We did take time to do laundry, wash our sleeping bags and sew "sheet liners" for our sleeping bags. (our bags alone were getting too hot to sleep in comfortably). Fixed Larry's panniers with the sewing machine as well. Wrote some postcards, went to the P.O., library and mall.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Went to the Park Restaurant with Mom for coffee and tea for everyone. Had a delightful breakfast of AP cake and banana bread. Strohm's left for church; Mom and Dad stayed with us until about 11 am. Mom's camera is missing. Phil tryed to talk to the state police to see what happened with the incident. Phil and I had an ok ride. We had some hills, "mere pimples on the face of the earth". There was a lot of traffic on 81 and 19 the last 13 miles to Strohm's. Very, scary, fast, close cars! and a lot of them!

Friday, July 15, 2011

On the road by 7:30. We had a much less hilly ride than expected: two climbs in the morning, but gradual, not too steep and a fairly level stretch to Elkhorn City. Stopped in Elkhorn City at "Dairy Cheer - Home of the Smashburger" for an ice cream cone then started towards Breaks.

I had a flat tire West of Dorton.

ENTERED VIRGINIA!

Phil got slapped on the back by some jerk in a pick up. It happened while we were climbing a grade. It scared the crap out of Phil and really pissed us off. Imagine riding along trying to make your way up a hill and some car pulls up right beside you and the guy leans out and slaps you on the back! We got the license plate number from a couple who saw the incident. Phil talked to the state police and the said they will look for the guy.

Met Mom and Dad and the Strohms at Breaks. Ok meal in restaurant at the park.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Up at 6:30 after a lousy sleep. Some kids kept walking by talking, yelling and playing loud music. Had a tough hill just outside Buckhorn, then level to Route 80. We had a slow ride along 80, hilly and we were exhausted due to lack of sleep. Took a nap in Hindman. We called Stroms and Mom and Dad were there!! They (Dad) put a message on their answering machine.

Now at Pippa Passes Hostel to get a good night's sleep. This room is great: a bed by a window, a view of a lot of trees and kittens outside.